Student voices drift down the hallway into my office. Mila’s? I stop twirling my pen to listen closer. Not hers. I watch out the window as they head into the parking lot. She’s not with them, which means she’s still here.
I should have more respect for the university’s policies. My head drops back, tipping my chair backward. I shouldn’t be planning parties with her in my mind, but something broke inside of me at the sex club.
“Professor Rutherford?” The softness of Mila’s voice teases me as if she’s still in my arms.
How can it sound so real?
Knock. Knock. Soft raps on my open door snap me to reality.
The pen flips from my fingers as I lurch forward and spin to face her. “Mila, come in.”
She holds a paper up, but stays in the doorway. “I didn’t realize you were on the scholarship committee this year. Will it be a conflict of…” She pauses briefly. “I’m really sorry about the other night. It was a dare. I shouldn’t have—”
“Shhh.” I put a finger to my lips. “There’s nothing wrong with talking about parties.” Grinding my cock into her backside and sliding my hand over her clothed pussy were more problematic… along with the revelation that she may have only acted on a dare, not her own desire.
Mila grimaces and lowers her voice. “Right. But I need this scholarship.”
“Have a seat.” I motion to the chair on the other side of my desk.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. All I need is your signature.”
Concern races through me. “Let’s just talk for a second.”
A nervous laugh makes its way through her nibbling on her lower lip. “I trust you. But if Professor Sterling hadn’t intervened… I don’t want rumors to get started.”
“Come on in. Leave the door open.” I motion over my shoulder. “It’s late. My light is on. Anyone outside can see in. Nothing to worry about. No parties in here.”
She giggles. It’s cute. It’s genuine. And it’s hinting that she wouldn’t be opposed a party.
She steps forward and grabs my pen from the floor. My mind wastes no time imagining her kneeling in front of me, looking up at me with those big blue eyes. I tell the party in my pants to take a break.
She sets the pen on my desk and slides her paper next to it. “I didn’t realize you were on the scholarship committee. If you think it’s appropriate, I need your signature.”
I want to give her a lot more than my signature. I want to give her my last name, a baby, a future where all of her needs are met. Yep, she broke the bachelor in me. I’ve never wanted a woman the way I want her.
“I understand. I shouldn’t have—” She reaches for the paper, causing me to realize she misread my hesitation.
“Whoa!” I set my hand on top of hers. It’s as delicate as I remembered. “I just joined the committee this semester. You couldn’t have known. Now, it’s a merit-based scholarship, so let me check your grades, ask the questions I ask all of the candidates, then I’ll decide if I’ll sign.”
She smiles timidly and her cheeks are flushed as she looks at our hands. I lift mine just enough that she can pull hers away and take a seat. Reading her student number, I type it into my computer.
“Highest marks out of everyone who’s asked for my recommendation.”
“Really?” Her tone lightens.
“Definitely. You’re single, correct?”
Her eyes twinkle and her lips purse before she answers. “Yes.”
“Have you thought about how you would incorporate a spouse or a family into your school and work?”
“I don’t think you’re allowed to ask questions like that.”
I start to regroup but she cuts me off.
“But I’ll answer anyway. I want someone who understands my passion. A spouse should respect me in all ways and work with me on our mutual desires. We would need to support each other.”
“That’s a lot for someone who’s never… planned a party with another person.”